This year’s Youth Ministry softball team: Rev, Zach, Ben, Taylor, Ricky, Alex and Casey.

When Luke, Kevin and Stephanie showed up the Rev was traded to the Adult team for a used glove and a bag of chips.

This year’s Adult softball team: Tom, Mike, Lance, Chris, Andy, Andy, Tom and Rev who got traded over to the Adult’s team in the second inning.

Casey pitched for the Youth Ministry team and had a menacing Jonathan Papelbon look.  (By the way she also pitches for the North Reading state champion girls’ softball team.)

Chris pitched for the Adult team and proved to be a worthy adversary on the mound.

Alex connects for an early hit that got the YM team off on the right foot.  (Alex also plays for the North Reading girl’s state champion softball team.)

The youth proved to be relentless in the early innings.  Luke also proved to be a free swinger.

Ben hit a triple and was one of the many early base runners for the youth.

Ricky hustles to be the throw to second base.

Stephanie wasn’t sure which way the ball went after this swing.  On the next pitch she hit a vicious line drive that was snagged by the pitcher.

Face with overpowering pitches the adults resorted to playing some small ball.  Lance bunted for a hit against his daughter Casey.

The charge from behind was led by the Rev…well, not really….somehow this pitch got by him.

Would you believe that on the pitch right before this one he hit a towering homerun down the left field line that was just foul?

Despite the dribbler down the line the Rev showed great hustle in beating out the infield hit.

Andy takes a lead at first base.

That combined with some sloppy play that comes with youth and inexperience the adults clawed their way back to a 2-2 tie.

Stephanie and Kevin looked like they were getting really worried as the watched the adults’ rally from the outfield.

The game turned into a real struggle that required focus and concentration from everyone including our student minister Mike who played third base for the adults.

Kevin gave it all he had for the youth but was still out at second base.

A late rally by the youth though began to tip the balance of the game in their favor.  Here Taylor waits on second base hoping that his teammates will drive him home.

A late rally by the youth though began to tip the balance of the game in their favor.  Here Taylor waits on second base hoping that his teammates will drive him home.